When did it begin?

• many claim CST began with Jesus when he told his disciples that “the people are hungry “before the feeding of the 5000
• Jesus said “you give them something to eat“. This is an instruction that all Christians are expected to follow
• Others would say it began in 1891 when oppressed workers during the industrial revolution demanded fair rights and rich factory owners refused to treat them fairly.
• Pope Leo the 13th criticise this poor treatment and said “ the state should watch over the societies of citizens… in accordance with their rights”
• In the 1960s while on his travels Pope Paul VI witnessed great poverty. In a letter to the church, he said “The earth belongs to everyone not to the rich“
• Catholic social teaching has been developed by popes including John Paul II who wrote encyclicals such as “Sollicitudo rei socialis” ~ care for society
• Catholic social teaching continues to challenge the world about the way we speak out and fight against injustices. Pope Francis said in one of his encyclicals Evangelii Gaudium ~ “money must serve not rule”